Venezuela tells Guyana sorry

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC):

Venezuela has apologised to Guyana for its military incursion into this country's territory last month and has instituted measures to ensure there is no recurrence.

According to the local Foreign Affairs Ministry, Venezuela's Vice Minister of External Affairs, Rodolfo Sanz, who headed a six-member delegation, delivered the apology during a meeting with President Bharrat Jagdeo and Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr. Rudy Insanally.

"With respect to the incident in the Cuyuni River, the Venezuelan Vice Minister expressed sincere regrets and assured that the incident had no political motive on the part of the Venezuelan Government.

Senior officer calls for more police resources

THE VALLEY, Anguilla (CMC):

A senior police officer here has identified the need for more expertise within the ranks of the force.

Deputy Police Chief Illidge Richardson says the force needs experts in areas such as finger-printing, financial and criminal investigations.

Richardson also says there is need for more police officers.

The top law enforcement officer told reporters at the weekly media briefing while the force now has close to 100 officers and while the number might appear to be a lot to the public, the number dwindles when officers have to work 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Trinidadians are cowards - Panday

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday has labelled Trinidad and Tobago nationals as "cowards" after expressing disappointment that they did not take up his call for civil disobedience against the government.

The United National Congress-Alliance co-leader had earlier called on the population to engage in civil disobedience against the Patrick Manning administration to protest what he said was its failure to deal with crime and other challenges facing the society following the November 5 general election

Having not received the desired response, Panday said many people in the twin-island republic wanted to take up his call but they would not because they are "cowards".

Two police officers held on murder charge

ROSEAU, Dominica (CMC):

Two police officers, charged with murder, have been remanded in a case the Police Welfare Association (PWA) has described as a sad day for law enforcement.

The charges arise from an incident two Sundays ago where 30-year-old Stan Bruney of the Carib Territory was shot dead by police, prompting Carib Chief Charles Williams to call for stricter gun control laws in the Police Force.

Charged are Constable Carlton Williams and Special Constable Dethros Darrous.

IDB grants Guyana loan

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC):

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved a US$12-million loan for Guyana to help the country brace its ailing power sector.

The Washington-based bank said the sum was "to support the effort of the Government to promote a more sustainable and efficient power sector in Guyana".

The US$12-million loan "will be funded by Fund of Special Operations and the Ordinary Capital, with a four-year disbursement period," the bank said.

Let's tone down the rhetoric - Opposition

HAMILTON, Bermuda (CMC):

Opposition Leader Michael Dunkley said on Wednesday that he planned to telephone Premier Ewart Brown to discuss how they can "tone down the rhetoric" in the run-up to next Tuesday's general election.

Dunkley's pledge came a day after postal workers intercepted a package containing a bullet and a threatening letter addressed to the Premier, sparking a security alert.

Dunkley told a news conference that "people have had enough".

"I intend to place a call to the Premier and follow up with a written letter," said Dunkley.

Anthony takes offence to PM King's statement

CASTRIES, St. Lucia (CMC):

Opposition Leader Dr. Kenny Anthony has taken issue with a government statement which he says has declared war on the local media and his party's political supporters.

Dr. Anthony said Wednesday Prime Minister Stephenson King's recent statement that the United Workers Party administration would be taking the fight to its political opponents put St. Lucia Labour Party supporters at risk for acts of victimisation on the part of the one-year old government.